Mudd provides our Thursday morning challenge today.
Independent 10,001 / Wiglaf
This is my first blog since the Indy clocked up its 10,000th cryptic crossword puzzle yesterday. I remember the very first Indy crosswords back in the eighties, when I was first discovering the … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,655 by Puck
Tough and rewarding, with a few that needed parsing after the fact. Favourites were 1ac, 3dn, 4dn, 7dn, and 15dn. Thanks to Puck
Our Twelfth Anniversary
I am reluctant to post this because I don’t want to detract from the sad announcement regarding the passing of David Crossland (Dac) and it doesn’t seem right to celebrate after such unwelcome … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,994 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 20, 2018
Financial Times 16,003 by ALBERICH
Some off-beat definitions make this an interesting solve, and a possible mistake? Thank you Alberich.
Guardian 27,654 – Paul
A bit of a surprise to see Paul’s name today, as he usually appears later in the week. I found this quite hard to get going on, and not much easier to finish, … Read more >>
Independent 10000 / Phi
An Independent crossword landmark is reached today with the publication of puzzle number 10000 Phi provides the ten thousandth puzzle and he celebrates the event with 10 M (Roman numeral … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1565: Keep Trying by Radler
This is Radler’s sixth appearance in the Inquisitor series with puzzles coming about once a year. I have blogged one before. That one focused on unfinished symphonies. I said then that I enjoyed … Read more >>
David Crossland (Dac) – RIP
Update: Eimi has added a link to the Independent obituary in comment #43.
A message from Mike Hutchinson (Eimi), the Independent’s crossword editor:
It is with great sadness that I have to pass on the news that the great Dac is no longer with us. He lost his battle with cancer at the weekend. I’m sure many people will have noticed that he hasn’t appeared in the Indy for the last two months, but he had asked me not to mention his illness here.
Independent 9,999 by Alchemi
It seems that whoever gets me as a blogger also gets me the next time, since this has happened a bit recently, but so far as I’m concerned at any rate that’s no problem, for we have here the usual pleasant, not desperately demanding (as it so often is on Tuesdays, which was a relief), offering from Alchemi, themed around 11ac.
Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Financial Times 16,002 by PETO
A solid Tuesday offering with some notably smooth surfaces.
Guardian Cryptic 27,653 by Qaos
A themed offering from Qaos this fine Tuesday morning.
Quiptic 989 by Anto
Anto’s turn in the quiptic slot this week, complete with his new name.
Edit: The setter’s name has now been corrected to Anto on the Guardian site. It had previously been ‘Anton’
Independent 9998/Anglio
Anglio has been contributing Indy puzzles (Prize, weekday and IoS) for nearly three years now, and is a regular but infrequent setter. This is the first time we have bumped into each other … Read more >>